Jennifer Newman: Looking for a new job? Make sure it's the right fit

The summer can be a great time to be unemployed — but once the warm weather starts to fade, you might find that it's time to put away the beach ball and dust off the resume.

As summer vacations come to an end, the September job hunting season starts to ramp up. And while finding a job can be hard work in and of itself, finding a job that you enjoy can be even harder.

Workplace psychologist Jennifer Newman joined Rick Cluff on CBC's The Early Edition to offer some important tips for job hunters looking to get back to the grind — like how to find a job that won't drive you crazy.

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Rick Cluff: Isn't having a job you enjoy like having your cake and eating it too?

Jennifer Newman: Well, workers can enjoy what they've chosen to do for their career, definitely — but if it's in a workplace they can't stand, then they won't enjoy their job. And sometimes the reverse is true — workers may not enjoy their job per se, but they might like the company they're working for.

But either way, the most important thing to consider in a job search is person-organization fit.

What is that, and how can workers find it, or even care about it?

Well, it's when a worker and their organization are compatible, so both parties' needs are met.

I worked with this happy salesman, and he liked the bonus structure he had, and all of the autonomy the company gave him to develop new business ideas. And the organization liked all the increased revenue he brought in, and the fact that he was willing to develop new business. In this case they both valued increased profits and risk taking, so there was compatibility between the company and him.

When that happens, workers who are compatible with their companies are more satisfied and committed, and there is less turnover and absenteeism as a result.

That might be something you don't realise until you've got the job. How does a job hunter find out if the organization they're looking at is the right fit?

The first step is to identify your own values.

There are certain basic values that we can apply to workers and companies, and one is risk takers vs. rule-based people, or rule-based companies and risk-taking companies. A worker can decide how much they value taking risks personally, and how much they prefer to follow rules.

Organizations are set up much the same way. Some places value risks, innovations and being creative. But some companies value following rules and procedures. So if a worker who likes knowing the rules and playing by the book takes a job where risk taking, flying by the seat of your pants is actually valued, they're going to be miserable.

Are there other values?

Yes. Are you results-oriented, or relationship-oriented? Workers who value close relationships at work may find that focusing on profit margins and sales figures and outputs and that kind of thing would be uncomfortable, and workers who may value identifiable achievements and accomplishments, they will find relationship-oriented companies frustrating.

How can you tell through that the company you're applying to values your values? And that you're going to fit?

The first thing is you can get a lot of clues through the company's website.  Look at the mission statements, look at the value statements. That will give you some ideas, and check out what the company celebrates about itself. Some will come right out and say they value innovation. Others will say they value due diligence and prudence.

In an interview, you're often asked if you have any questions. Ask about what kind of committees workers can volunteer for, that will give you a clue about what they value. If you're meeting with HR, ask about their departments, and ask about what HR provides for workers as part of its service.

What do you do if you like the company, you like the compensation package, but you don't like the values?

That's where you've got a red flag. That's the person-organization fit. You might like all that stuff and it all looks good, but once you end up in there, you're going to feel trapped because you're working with something that's completely incompatible.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

With files from CBC's The Early Edition